JP6221900B2 - Reception side facsimile apparatus, facsimile communication system, and transfer side facsimile apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reception-side facsimile apparatus, a facsimile communication system, and a transfer-side facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for transferring facsimile data between facsimile apparatuses.

  Some facsimile apparatuses have a function of transferring received facsimile data to another facsimile apparatus that is set in advance as a transfer destination when the facsimile data is received. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below show a facsimile apparatus that transfers facsimile data received by a facsimile apparatus installed in a workplace after the user returns to the facsimile apparatus at the user's home. Also, in Patent Document 3 below, when the number of redials for transfer from the transmitter to the receiver reaches a certain number, the image information is transferred to another set receiver. A technique is disclosed in which a machine notifies a receiver that first tried to transmit that image information has been transferred to another receiver.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-8571 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-8573 JP-A-6-30230

  However, in the facsimile apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the facsimile apparatus that transfers facsimile data is set to perform data transfer, it always transfers the facsimile data to the transfer destination. In this case, in the above example, if the facsimile machine at the workplace receives the facsimile data to be transferred while the user is at work from home, the facsimile data is transferred to the facsimile machine at home, and the user After arrival at the office, the office cannot receive the facsimile data.

  Further, in the case of the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, if the receiver to be transferred first is a facsimile apparatus at home, the transmitter as the transfer-side facsimile apparatus is turned off when the facsimile apparatus is turned off. Since the facsimile data that is attempted to be transferred is transferred to another facsimile machine, the situation in which the user cannot receive the image of the facsimile data at a desired place because the facsimile machine at home receives the facsimile data. Although it can be avoided, if the transmitter repeatedly dials multiple facsimile machines, the facsimile data to be transferred continues to be held in the built-in memory of the facsimile machine. The cost of high memory requirements A.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably receive facsimile data transferred between facsimile apparatuses by a facsimile apparatus installed at a user-desired location. .

A reception-side facsimile apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception availability setting unit that sets whether to receive transfer data transferred from a transfer-side facsimile apparatus that performs data transfer;
A receiving side facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication with the transfer side facsimile apparatus;
When facsimile communication with the transfer-side facsimile apparatus is established by the reception-side facsimile communication unit, a reception enable / disable signal indicating the content of transfer reception enable / disable set by the reception enable / disable setting unit is set to a predetermined facsimile communication protocol. A receiving-side control unit that transmits the receiving-side facsimile communication unit to the transfer-side facsimile apparatus using the communication signal in FIG.

In addition, a facsimile communication system according to a further aspect of the present invention includes the receiving-side facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the transfer-side facsimile apparatus,
The transfer side facsimile apparatus is
A transfer side facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication with the receiving side facsimile apparatus;
When the transfer side facsimile communication unit receives the reception enable / disable signal, the transfer side facsimile apparatus performs the data transfer to the reception side facsimile apparatus according to the content of the transfer data reception enable / disable indicated by the reception enable / disable signal. A data transfer setting section for setting whether or not
A transfer-side control unit that causes the transfer-side facsimile communication unit to perform the data transfer to the reception-side facsimile device when the data transfer setting unit is set to perform the data transfer.

A transfer-side facsimile apparatus according to a further aspect of the present invention includes a transfer-side facsimile communication unit that performs facsimile communication with a reception-side facsimile apparatus as a communication partner,
When the transfer side facsimile communication unit receives from the reception side facsimile device a reception availability signal indicating the availability of transfer data transferred from the transfer side facsimile device, the transfer side of the transfer data indicated by the reception availability signal is displayed. A data transfer setting unit for setting whether or not to cause the transfer-side facsimile apparatus to perform the data transfer to the reception-side facsimile apparatus, according to the content of reception availability;
A transfer-side control unit that causes the transfer-side facsimile communication unit to perform the data transfer to the reception-side facsimile device when the data transfer setting unit is set to perform the data transfer.

  According to the present invention, facsimile data transferred between facsimile machines can be reliably received by a facsimile machine installed at a user-desired location.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine as a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating fax communication processing between a multifunction peripheral and a facsimile machine that is a destination of fax transmission. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of transferring facsimile data to be transferred to a receiving facsimile machine when the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment is a transfer facsimile machine. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the internal structure of the multifunctional machine as a facsimile apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to facsimile data transfer when the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment is a transfer-side facsimile apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine.

  Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus, a facsimile communication system, and a fax communication program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of a multifunction machine as a facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 100, an image reading unit 110, an image memory 120, an image forming unit 130, and a facsimile communication unit 140.

  The image reading unit 110 includes a scanner that reads a document and acquires a document image. The image reading unit 110 is, for example, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) having a scanner that reads an image of a document on a document placement table or a conveyed document, and a discharge mechanism that discharges a read document. The image reading unit 110 reads the originals to be faxed one by one, and acquires the data (original image) of each page of the pages together with the page information as the data to be faxed. To do.

  The image memory 120 temporarily stores data to be printed by the image forming unit 130, such as document data read by the image reading unit 110 and data to be transmitted by the facsimile communication unit 140 or the communication interface 160. It is an area to save automatically.

  The image forming unit 130 is data stored in the image memory 120, such as document data read by the image reading unit 110, data received from another facsimile apparatus via the public line by the facsimile communication unit 140, and the like. And image formation (printing) is performed using the data.

  The facsimile communication unit 140 executes various functions necessary for facsimile communication, and transmits / receives image data to / from an external facsimile apparatus through a public line. For example, the control unit 101 reads document data of each page read by the image reading unit 110 for fax transmission and temporarily stored in the image memory 120 in the page order, and sends it to the facsimile communication unit 140 by the user. Fax transmission is performed to the facsimile machine of the other party specified by the operation of the operation unit 47. Note that a facsimile communication unit 140 in a receiving side facsimile apparatus to be described later is an example of a receiving side facsimile communication unit in the claims, and a facsimile communication unit 140 in a transfer side facsimile apparatus to be described later is a transfer side facsimile communication unit in the claims. An example.

  In addition, the telephone communication unit 180 performs a function of performing call communication with another telephone through a public line.

  Furthermore, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image processing unit 190 that performs editing and processing of an image read by the image reading unit 110. In addition, it has a communication interface 160 for communicating various data with other personal computers and servers connected to the MFP network.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and governs the overall operation of the multifunction device 1. The control unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a reception enable / disable setting unit 102, a mode setting unit 103, and a data transfer setting unit 104. Note that the fax communication program of the multifunction device 1 is stored in the HDD 170 or a ROM (not shown), and the control unit 100 operates in accordance with the fax communication program, whereby the control unit 101 (facsimile data transfer described in the present embodiment). Functions relating to processing execution) function as a reception enable / disable setting unit 102, a mode setting unit 103, and a data transfer setting unit 104. However, the control unit 101, the reception enable / disable setting unit 102, the mode setting unit 103, and the data transfer setting unit 104 may each be configured by a hardware circuit without depending on the operation based on the fax communication program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 101 governs the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1. Further, the control unit 101 executes processing related to facsimile data transfer, which will be described later. Note that the control unit 101 in the receiving side facsimile apparatus to be described later is an example of a receiving side control unit in the claims, and the control unit 101 in the transfer side facsimile apparatus to be described later is an example of a transfer side control unit in the claims. .

  The reception permission / non-permission setting unit 102 sets reception permission / non-permission indicating whether or not the transfer data is received from another facsimile device (hereinafter referred to as a transfer-side facsimile device) that transfers the facsimile data through the public line. For example, when setting to receive transfer data from the transfer-side facsimile apparatus, the reception permission / inhibition setting unit 102 sets and stores a transfer reception flag (transfer reception flag = 1 (true)). When setting to not receive the transfer data, the transfer reception flag is not set (transfer reception flag = 0 (false)), and this state is stored. The reception permission / inhibition setting unit 102 is provided in order for the multifunction device 1 to function as a reception-side facsimile apparatus.

  When the facsimile communication unit 140 establishes facsimile communication with the transfer-side facsimile apparatus, the control unit 101 determines in advance a reception availability signal indicating whether reception is possible or not set by the reception availability setting unit 102. Using the received facsimile communication protocol, the MFP 1 transmits the data to the transfer side facsimile apparatus. In the present embodiment, T.264 is used as the predetermined protocol. A description will be given of an example in which an NSS signal, which is a communication signal in the protocol, is used as the reception enable / disable signal.

  Further, at the time of facsimile communication with the transfer-side facsimile apparatus, the control unit 101 performs communication between the apparatus from the facsimile communication section 140 to the transfer-side facsimile apparatus. 2) A communication type signal indicating whether the communication is to transmit the reception availability signal is transmitted together with the reception availability signal.

  The mode setting unit 103 sets the MFP 1 to the answering machine mode. The answering machine mode refers to a mode in which a voice message from the other party of the call received by the telephone communication unit 180 when the user cannot receive the voice message is recorded as voice data in a memory built in the control unit 100, for example. The control unit 101 controls the operation of the multifunction device 1 in the answering machine mode.

  The reception enable / disable setting unit 102 determines, for example, whether or not the multifunction device 1 is set to the answering machine mode by the mode setting unit 103, and if it is set to the answering machine mode, The transfer reception flag is set. That is, the reception permission / inhibition setting unit 102 sets the predetermined state to a state in which the multifunction device 1 is set to the answering machine mode. Note that the reception enable / disable setting unit 102 does not set the transfer reception flag if the MFP 1 is not in the answering machine mode.

  The data transfer setting unit 104 is provided for the MFP 1 to function as a transfer-side facsimile apparatus that transfers facsimile data to another facsimile apparatus. When the facsimile communication unit 140 receives the reception availability signal from another facsimile device, the data transfer setting unit 104 sends the other information to the multifunction device 1 according to the content of the availability of the transfer data indicated by the reception availability signal. Whether or not to allow the facsimile apparatus to transfer data. That is, when the reception availability signal indicates that transfer reception is possible, the data transfer setting unit 104 sends facsimile data to be transferred from the facsimile communication unit 140 to another facsimile apparatus that has transmitted the reception availability signal. A data transfer flag is set up and stored for transfer (data transfer flag = 1 (true)). On the other hand, if the reception enable / disable signal indicates that transfer reception is not possible, the other that has transmitted the reception enable / disable signal For this facsimile apparatus, the transfer reception flag is not set (data transfer flag = 0 (false)) in order not to transfer the facsimile data to be transferred, and this state is stored.

  When the facsimile communication is established with another facsimile apparatus, the data transfer setting unit 104 sets the communication type signal received by the facsimile communication unit 140 together with the reception enable / disable signal as the facsimile communication setting for data transfer. It is determined whether or not the transfer setting communication is to be performed, and setting is performed according to the contents of the transfer data reception availability indicated by the reception availability signal. The communication type signal is a signal indicating whether (a) normal facsimile communication or (b) communication for transmitting a reception availability signal to the facsimile communication unit 140.

  When the multifunction device 1 is a transfer side facsimile device and the facsimile communication unit 140 receives facsimile data to be transferred from another facsimile device, the control unit 101 sets the data transfer flag by the data transfer setting unit 104. If so, the received facsimile data to be transferred is transferred from the facsimile communication unit 140 to a facsimile apparatus that is predetermined as a transfer destination and that has transmitted the reception enable / disable signal. Let

  Next, fax communication processing between the multifunction machine 1 and a facsimile machine that is a destination of fax transmission will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a fax communication process between the multifunction device 1 and a facsimile machine that is a destination of fax transmission.

  The multifunction peripheral 1 as the transmission side has a facsimile communication instruction 140 (hereinafter simply referred to as the multifunction peripheral 1 in the description of the facsimile communication process), and a facsimile transmission instruction (that is, facsimile transmission) input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user. A call is made by dialing based on (job), and a CNG signal is transmitted to notify the facsimile machine of the other party that the multi-function machine 1 is a facsimile machine that performs facsimile communication (# 1).

  When the other party's facsimile apparatus receives the CNG signal as the receiving side when the facsimile communication unit (hereinafter simply referred to as the other party's facsimile apparatus in the description of the fax communication processing) receives the CNG signal, the destination facsimile apparatus , A NSF signal as a non-standard function identification signal representing an optional function of itself, and a DIS signal for notifying a receiving side device function (CCITT specification, etc.) are sent back to the multi-function device 1 (# 2). The NSF signal is a T.264 signal used in the facsimile apparatus to notify a special facility that is not a specific standard system. This is a message signal according to the 30 protocol.

  Upon receiving the CED signal, NSF signal, and DIS signal from the destination facsimile machine, the multifunction device 1 (calling side) responds to the DCS signal that informs the setup data (CCITT specifications, etc.) of the multifunction device 1 and the NSF signal. An NSS signal as a standard function identification signal and a TCF signal for modem training are sent to the counterpart facsimile machine (# 3). That is, since the special facility is notified by the NSF signal from the other party's facsimile machine, if the caller has a function corresponding to the special facility, the fact that the caller can respond is indicated. The facsimile apparatus notifies the partner facsimile apparatus by an NSS signal. In the present embodiment, information necessary for data transfer described later is added to the NSF signal and the NSS signal for communication.

  The counterpart facsimile machine that has received the DCS signal, NSS signal, and TCF signal returns a CFR signal indicating successful reception to the multi-function device 1 (# 4).

  When the MFP 1 as the transmission side receives the CFR signal, it transmits the first page data (PIX) to be faxed in the fax transmission job to the partner facsimile machine (# 5). Further, when there is data on another page to be faxed, the multifunction device 1 transmits an MPS signal indicating that the data on the other page exists to the partner facsimile machine.

  In the other party facsimile machine as the receiving side, the received first page data (PIX) is temporarily stored in the image memory. Then, the counterpart facsimile machine returns an MCF signal indicating that the data of the first page has been correctly received to the multi function device 1 (# 6).

  When receiving the MCF signal from the partner facsimile machine, the multifunction device 1 transmits the next page data (PIX) and the MPS signal to the partner facsimile machine as long as there is next page data to be faxed. In this case, the destination facsimile apparatus repeats the process of # 6 in which the received page data (PIX) is temporarily stored in the image memory and the MCF signal is returned to the multifunction machine 1. Thereafter, the processes of # 5 and # 6 are repeated until the multi-function device 1 completes transmission of all pages of data to be transmitted to the facsimile machine.

  When the multifunction device 1 transmits the final page data (PIX) to be transmitted to the facsimile machine, the multifunction apparatus 1 transmits an EOP signal indicating the end of data transmission to the facsimile machine ( # 7). The counterpart facsimile machine returns an MCF signal indicating that the data of the last page has been received to the multi function device 1 (# 8).

  When the multifunction device 1 receives the MCF signal from the partner facsimile machine after transmitting the EOP signal, it transmits a DCN signal to the partner facsimile machine and disconnects the line (# 9).

  Next, processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine.

  For example, when the user turns on the multifunction device 1 and the reception permission / rejection setting unit 102 detects that the multifunction device 1 is turned on (YES in S1), the reception permission / rejection setting unit 102 It is determined whether or not the multifunction device 1 is set to the answering machine mode by the mode setting unit 103 (S2).

  Here, when it is determined that the multi-function device 1 is set to the answering machine mode (YES in S2), the reception availability setting unit 102 determines another facsimile apparatus that is predetermined as a facsimile apparatus that transfers facsimile apparatus data. The transfer reception flag is set to transfer reception flag = 1 (in order to allow the MFP 1 as the reception side facsimile apparatus to receive the facsimile data to be transferred from the (transfer side facsimile apparatus). true) (S3).

  On the other hand, if the reception permission / non-permission setting unit 102 determines that the multifunction device 1 is not set to the answering machine mode (NO in S2), the reception permission / non-permission setting portion 102 determines whether the facsimile data to be transferred is based on the multifunction device 1. In order to set the reception not permitted, the transfer reception flag is set to transfer reception flag = 0 (false) (S8).

  After the transfer reception flag is set in S3 or S8, the facsimile communication unit 140 makes a call to the predetermined transfer side facsimile apparatus and transmits a CNG signal (S4).

  In response to the call, the transfer side facsimile apparatus returns a CED signal, a DIS signal, and an NSF signal to the multi-function device 1, and when the facsimile communication unit 140 of the multi-function device 1 receives these signals (S5). The facsimile communication unit 140 transmits the DCS signal in response to the NSF signal, and further the NSS signal and the TCF signal to the transfer side facsimile apparatus (S6). At this time, the control unit 101 transmits to the NSS signal a communication type signal indicating that the established facsimile communication is a communication for transmitting a reception availability signal, and the transfer reception set in S3 or S8. The NSS signal is transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 140 to the transfer side facsimile apparatus after including the reception availability signal indicating the contents of the flag. Thereafter, the facsimile communication unit 140 transmits a DCN signal to the transfer-side facsimile apparatus (S7) and ends the communication.

  In the above description, the reception availability setting unit 102 sets the transfer reception flag = 1 (true) when the MFP 1 determines that the answering machine mode is set (YES in S2) (S3). For example, if the reception enable / disable setting unit 102 determines that the power is turned on in S1, the process of S2 may not be performed, and the transfer reception flag = 1 (true) may be set. Alternatively, in the multi function device 1, when other conditions such as an instruction to enable the data transfer to be received by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user are satisfied, the reception availability setting unit 102 sets the transfer reception flag. = 1 (true).

  Next, processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment is a transfer-side facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing related to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine.

  When the multi-function device 1 is a transfer-side facsimile device (hereinafter simply referred to as a transfer-side facsimile device), a call is made from the multi-function device 1 that is a receiving-side facsimile device by performing the series of processes shown in FIG. The facsimile communication unit 140 of the transfer side facsimile apparatus receives S4) (YES in S11). Upon receiving this call, the transfer side facsimile apparatus opens and establishes a line with the reception side facsimile apparatus (S12). Subsequently, the facsimile communication unit 140 returns a CED signal, a DIS signal as a non-standard function identification signal indicating an optional function of the device, and an NSF signal to the receiving facsimile machine (S13).

  In response to this, the receiving facsimile apparatus returns an NSS signal in response to the NSF signal, and further, a DCS signal and a TCF signal to the transferring facsimile apparatus, and the facsimile communication unit 140 of the transferring facsimile apparatus receives these signals. (S14), the data transfer setting unit 104 determines whether or not the communication type signal included in the NSS signal indicates that the facsimile communication is the transfer setting communication (S15). When it is determined that the type signal does not indicate transfer setting communication (NO in S15), the control unit 101 performs normal facsimile data reception control (S18). That is, the facsimile communication unit 140 of the transfer-side facsimile apparatus determines that the call from the reception-side facsimile apparatus detected in S1 indicates communication for transmitting facsimile data as usual. A CFR signal is sent back to the terminal, and thereafter, processing of # 4 to # 9 shown in FIG. 2 is performed in order to receive facsimile data from the receiving side facsimile apparatus.

  In addition, when the data transfer setting unit 104 determines that the communication type signal indicates the transfer setting communication (YES in S15), a reception availability signal further included in the NSS signal is used to receive facsimile data to be transferred. Is determined whether or not the reception side facsimile apparatus permits (S16). If the data transfer setting unit 104 determines that the reception enable / disable signal indicates that the transfer target facsimile data can be received (reception enable / disable = true) (YES in S16), a data transfer flag is set and stored. (Data transfer flag = 1 (true)). That is, the data transfer setting unit 104 performs a process of transferring the facsimile data to the receiving facsimile apparatus when the facsimile data to be transferred to the receiving facsimile apparatus is received from another facsimile apparatus thereafter. Next, the transfer facsimile machine is set (S17).

  On the other hand, when the data transfer setting unit 104 determines that the reception enable / disable signal indicates that the transfer data cannot be received (NO in S16), the data transfer setting unit 104 subsequently receives the facsimile data to be transferred to the receiving facsimile machine. In this case, the data transfer flag is stored without being set (data transfer flag = 0 (false)), and even if the facsimile data to be transferred to the receiving facsimile apparatus is received thereafter, the receiving facsimile apparatus The setting of the data transfer mode is canceled so that the facsimile data is not transferred to (S18).

  Next, a process of transferring facsimile data to be transferred to the receiving facsimile apparatus when the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment is a transfer facsimile apparatus will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring facsimile data to be transferred to the receiving facsimile apparatus when the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment is a transferring facsimile apparatus.

  In the transfer side facsimile apparatus, when the facsimile communication unit 140 receives facsimile data to be transferred from another facsimile apparatus to the reception side facsimile apparatus (YES in S21), the control unit 101 sets the data in the data transfer setting unit 104. It is determined whether or not the transfer flag is set, that is, whether or not the data transfer mode is set (S22).

  Here, if the control unit 101 determines that the data transfer flag is set and the data transfer mode is set (YES in S22), the control unit 101 notifies the facsimile communication unit 140 to the receiving facsimile apparatus as the data transfer destination. A call is made to the terminal (S23). If the control unit 101 determines that the data transfer flag is not set and the data transfer mode is not set (NO in S22), the control unit 101 causes the image forming unit 130 to form an image of the facsimile data received in S21. (S28). That is, the transfer side facsimile apparatus outputs the facsimile data received in S21 at its own station without transferring it.

  In response to the call, when a reply of the CED signal, the DIS signal, and the NSF signal is received from the receiving facsimile machine (S24), the DCS signal, the NSS signal, and the TCF are sent from the facsimile communication unit 140 to the receiving facsimile machine. A signal is transmitted (S25). The control unit 101 waits for the CFR signal to be returned from the receiving side facsimile apparatus, and the facsimile communication unit 140 transmits the facsimile data to be transferred received in S21 to # 5 to ## shown in FIG. By performing the process of No. 7, it is transmitted to the receiving facsimile machine (S26).

  When the facsimile communication unit 140 of the transfer side facsimile apparatus receives the MCF signal from the reception side facsimile apparatus after transmitting the data of the last page of the transfer target facsimile data, the facsimile communication unit 140 sends a DCN signal to the reception side facsimile apparatus. The fax communication is terminated (S27).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not the facsimile data to be transferred is transferred from the reception side facsimile apparatus to the transfer side facsimile apparatus. For this reason, for example, the user sets the facsimile data that has arrived at the facsimile machine of the head office at the workplace to the facsimile machine installed at the branch office that is a business trip destination, and receives the facsimile data at the branch office of the business trip destination. When you return to the head office, make sure that the branch office's facsimile machine is set as the above-mentioned receiving-side facsimile machine, and that the facsimile machine at the head office, which is the transfer-side facsimile machine, is switched to a setting that does not transfer. By returning to the headquarters, it is possible to avoid a situation where the user cannot receive the facsimile data at the headquarters because the facsimile data is transferred from the head office's transfer-side facsimile device to the branch office's receiver-side facsimile device while the user returns to the headquarters. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the user can reliably receive the facsimile data transferred between the two facsimile machines with the facsimile machine installed at the user's desired location. The same applies when the user transfers facsimile data using both home and office facsimile machines.

  In addition, since the communication type signal and the transfer reception availability signal included in the NSS signal are transmitted from the reception side facsimile apparatus to the transfer side facsimile apparatus, the transfer side facsimile apparatus performs normal transmission based on the communication type signal. Since it is possible to distinguish between the facsimile communication and the communication for performing the setting for permitting or not permitting the transfer of the facsimile data to be transferred, the communication necessary for the transfer setting is determined using a protocol used for the facsimile communication. It is possible to realize.

  Further, the receiving side facsimile apparatus disallows the transfer and reception of the facsimile data when the answering machine mode is set, and transfers and receives the facsimile data when the answering machine mode is not set. To permit, when the probability that the user is at the installation location of the receiving facsimile machine is high, the transfer facsimile machine transfers the facsimile data, and the user is at the installation location of the receiving facsimile machine. When the probability is low, the facsimile data can be prevented from being transferred.

  Further, since the transfer side facsimile apparatus sets whether or not to transfer the facsimile data to be transferred based on the contents indicated by the transfer reception availability signal received from the reception side facsimile apparatus as the NSS signal, the reception side facsimile apparatus It is possible to set whether or not to transfer the facsimile data in a timely manner in accordance with the instruction from. Also from this point, the user can surely receive the facsimile data transferred between the two facsimile machines by the facsimile machine installed at the user's desired location.

  The transfer-side facsimile apparatus and the reception-side facsimile apparatus that perform the facsimile data transfer process described above are an embodiment of the facsimile communication system according to the present invention.

  Next, a facsimile apparatus and a fax communication program according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine as a facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  In the MFP 1 according to the second embodiment, the control unit 100 includes the control unit 101, the reception availability setting unit 102, and the mode setting unit 103, as in the first embodiment, but the data transfer setting unit 104. It is not done.

  Next, processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the second embodiment is a transfer-side facsimile apparatus will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the second embodiment is a transfer-side facsimile apparatus.

  When the multifunction device 1 is a transfer side facsimile apparatus, when the facsimile communication unit 140 receives facsimile data to be transferred to the reception side facsimile apparatus (YES in S31), the control unit 101 causes the facsimile communication unit 140 to A call is made to the receiving facsimile machine as the data transfer destination (S32).

  When the facsimile communication unit 140 receives a reply of the CED signal, the DIS signal, and the NSF signal from the receiving side facsimile apparatus in response to the call (S33), the data transfer setting unit 104 is included in the NSF signal. It is determined whether or not the reception enable / disable signal indicates reception of facsimile data transmitted as a transfer target (S34).

  If the data transfer setting unit 104 determines that the reception enable / disable signal included in the NSF signal indicates the reception is possible (YES in S34), the facsimile communication unit 140 sends a DCS signal and an NSS signal to the receiving facsimile apparatus. The TCF signal is transmitted (S35), and the facsimile communication unit 140 waits for the CFR signal to be returned from the receiving side facsimile machine. By performing the processes of # 5 to # 7, the data is transmitted to the receiving facsimile machine (S36).

  When the facsimile communication unit 140 receives the MCF signal from the receiving facsimile machine after transmitting the data of the last page of the facsimile data to be transferred, the facsimile communication unit 140 transmits the DCN signal to the receiving facsimile machine. The fax communication is terminated (S37).

  On the other hand, when the data transfer setting unit 104 determines that the reception enable / disable signal indicates that the reception is not possible (NO in S34), the facsimile communication unit 140 transmits a DCN signal to the reception side facsimile apparatus, and receives the reception side facsimile. The fax communication with the apparatus is terminated (S38). Then, the control unit 101 causes the image forming unit 130 to form an image of the facsimile data received in S31 (S39). That is, the transfer side facsimile apparatus outputs the facsimile data received in S31 at its own station without transferring it.

  Next, processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the second embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing relating to facsimile data transfer when the multi-function device 1 according to the second embodiment is a receiving facsimile machine.

  When the multi-function device 1 is a receiving side facsimile device, when the facsimile communication unit 140 of the receiving side facsimile device receives a call from the transferring side facsimile device by the process of S32 shown in FIG. 7 (YES in S41), the transfer is performed. A line with the side facsimile machine is opened and established (S42).

  Subsequently, the reception enable / disable setting unit 102 determines whether the transfer reception flag = 1 (true) or the transfer reception flag = 0 (false) (S43). If it is determined that the reception flag = 1 (true) (YES in S43), transfer reception is allowed = true is set in the NSF signal in order to allow the MFP 1 to receive the transfer facsimile data (S44). The method for setting whether to allow transfer reception by the reception enable / disable setting unit 102 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Then, the facsimile communication unit 140 sends back the CED signal, the NSF signal having the content set in S44, and the DIS signal to the receiving facsimile machine (S45).

  In response to this, the receiving facsimile apparatus returns an NSS signal in response to the NSF signal, and further, a DCS signal and a TCF signal, and when the facsimile communication unit 140 of the transferring facsimile apparatus receives these signals (S46). Thereafter, in order to receive the facsimile data from the receiving facsimile machine, the processes of # 3 to # 9 in FIG. 2 are performed to receive the facsimile data to be transferred (S47). Thereafter, the DCN signal transmitted from the transfer side facsimile apparatus is received, and the communication is completed.

  On the other hand, if the reception enable / disable setting unit 102 determines that the transfer reception flag = 0 (false) (NO in S43), the NSF signal is used to set the reception of the transfer target facsimile data by the multi-function device 1 to the disapproval setting. Transfer unreceivable = false is set (S48). Thereafter, the DCN signal transmitted from the transfer side facsimile apparatus is received, and the communication is completed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the transfer-side facsimile apparatus starts communication for facsimile data transfer, the reception-side facsimile apparatus determines that the facsimile data is in accordance with a response from the reception-side facsimile apparatus. In order to determine whether or not the transfer is permitted to be received, as in the first embodiment, the user can ensure that the facsimile data transferred between the two facsimile machines is received by the facsimile machine installed at the user's desired location. Can be received.

  Further, since the transfer side facsimile apparatus sets whether or not to transfer the facsimile data to be transferred based on the content indicated by the transfer reception availability signal received from the reception side facsimile apparatus as the NSF signal, the reception side facsimile apparatus It is possible to set whether or not to transfer the facsimile data in a timely manner in accordance with an instruction from. Also from this point, the user can surely receive the facsimile data transferred between the two facsimile machines by the facsimile machine installed at the user's desired location.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using FIGS. 1 to 8 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the configurations and processes of the present invention are not limited thereto.

1 MFP 47 Operation unit 100 Control unit 101 Control unit 102 Receivability setting unit 103 Mode setting unit 104 Data transfer setting unit 140 Facsimile communication unit 160 Communication interface 180 Telephone communication unit

Claims (9)

A reception enable / disable setting unit for setting whether or not to receive transfer data transferred from a transfer-side facsimile apparatus that performs data transfer;
A receiving side facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication with the transfer side facsimile apparatus;
When facsimile communication with the transfer-side facsimile apparatus is established by the reception-side facsimile communication unit, a reception enable / disable signal indicating the content of transfer reception enable / disable set by the reception enable / disable setting unit is set to a predetermined facsimile communication protocol. And a receiving side control unit for transmitting from the receiving side facsimile communication unit to the transfer side facsimile device using a communication signal in (1).   The reception side control unit causes the reception side facsimile communication unit to transmit a communication type signal indicating whether the reception side facsimile communication unit is normal facsimile communication or communication for transmitting the reception availability signal together with the reception availability signal. 1. The receiving facsimile machine according to 1.   The reception enable / disable setting unit determines whether or not the receiving facsimile apparatus is in a predetermined state, and determines that the transfer data can be transferred and received when it is determined to be in the predetermined state. The receiving side facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving side facsimile apparatus is set.   4. The reception side facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception availability setting unit uses a power-on state of the reception side facsimile apparatus as the predetermined state. A telephone communication unit that performs telephone call communication;
A mode setting unit for setting the receiving facsimile apparatus to an answering machine mode for recording a message from the other party when the call cannot be received;
The receiving side control unit can control the operation of the receiving side facsimile apparatus in the answering machine mode,
4. The reception enable / disable setting unit uses, as the predetermined state, a state in which the receiving facsimile apparatus is set to the answering machine mode by the mode setting unit. Receiving facsimile machine. A receiving-side facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the transfer-side facsimile apparatus,
The transfer side facsimile apparatus is
A transfer side facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication with the receiving side facsimile apparatus;
When the transfer side facsimile communication unit receives the reception enable / disable signal, the transfer side facsimile apparatus performs the data transfer to the reception side facsimile apparatus according to the content of the transfer data reception enable / disable indicated by the reception enable / disable signal. A data transfer setting section for setting whether or not
Facsimile communication comprising: a transfer-side control unit that causes the transfer-side facsimile communication unit to perform the data transfer to the reception-side facsimile device when the data transfer setting unit is set to perform the data transfer system.   When facsimile communication with the receiving facsimile apparatus is established, the transfer facsimile communication unit receives a communication type signal together with the reception enable / disable signal, and the transfer setting for the facsimile communication to set data transfer. The facsimile communication system according to claim 6, wherein, when the communication type signal indicates communication, the data transfer setting unit performs setting according to the content of whether or not transfer data indicated by the reception enable / disable signal is received. A transfer side facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication with a receiving side facsimile apparatus as a communication partner;
When the transfer side facsimile communication unit receives from the reception side facsimile device a reception availability signal indicating the availability of transfer data transferred from the transfer side facsimile device, the transfer side of the transfer data indicated by the reception availability signal is displayed. in accordance with the contents of the receiving availability, on the transfer side facsimile apparatus, a data transfer setting unit for setting whether to perform Lud over data transfer against the receiving facsimile machine,
A transfer side comprising: a transfer side control unit for causing the transfer side facsimile communication unit to perform the data transfer to the receiving side facsimile apparatus when the data transfer setting unit is set to perform the data transfer Facsimile device. When facsimile communication with the receiving facsimile apparatus is established, the transfer facsimile communication unit receives a communication type signal together with the reception enable / disable signal, and the transfer setting for the facsimile communication to set data transfer. 9. The transfer-side facsimile apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the communication type signal indicates communication, the data transfer setting unit performs setting according to the content of whether or not transfer data indicated by the reception enable / disable signal is received. .

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